Westfield UTC will kick off Thursday the first phase of what’s envisioned as a $1 billion revitalization of its mall, a project approved three years ago by the San Diego City Council but delayed because of the recession.

The blueprint calls for ultimately adding 750,000 square feet of retail space — on top of the current 1 million square feet. Westfield intends to introduce more than a dozen new shops and restaurants by the end of 2013.

The first phase for the mall, formerly known as University Towne Centre, is projected to cost $180 million and last about a year. It won’t add any space, but will make use of the old Robinsons-May site, which hasn’t had a permanent tenant since 2005.

New elements

Westfield UTC is scheduled to have the following changes by the end of 2012:

•Fourteen-screen ArcLight premium cinema — ArcLight operates with no commercials, all-reserved seating and no entry after a movie has started. Amenities include extra-wide seats.

•the county’s first cinema from the ArcLight chain, known for offering a premium moviegoing experience

•a 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport Club that’s triple the size of the current gym

•a Tender Greens restaurant, a chain that offers organic produce

•a remodeled dining terrace

•a new family lounge and children’s play area

“We really have a lot of faith in the University City/La Jolla community. We really think it’s a strong place to be,” said Tom Tierney, a senior vice president for Westfield. “If we’re going to invest anywhere, UTC and San Diego in general is definitely a place for us to be.”

Westfield is an Australian-based company with interests in 124 shopping centers worldwide, from sites in the U.S. and Brazil to those in New Zealand and Britain. Some of the features coming to the UTC mall are inspired by the London property.

The company’s local properties include the Horton Plaza mall in downtown San Diego, the Mission Valley mall and the North County mall in Escondido.

It’s not surprising that Westfield is updating UTC now, since the retail market seems to be improving, especially in high-income coastal areas, said Chris Thornberg of Beacon Economics in Los Angeles.

“Vacancy rates are still quite high in retail, but they’re coming down,” he said. “You’re starting to move into a situation where things are going to get better. These (projects) take time so it makes sense to get ahead of the curve.”